Breed Club / Health Committee Name and URL

Theme attended at 3rd IDHW in Paris

Th Kennel Club in the UK has posted information on a "New Dog Breeding Regulation". This relates to regulations from the
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for breeding operations and related to members of The KC Assured Breeders Scheme.
"Changes to breeding regulations in England
New regulations on dog breeding in England will be live from 1st October. There are no changes to breeding regulations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A number of significant changes are being made," which include requirements for a dog breeding licence. In addition, there is a defining of minimum welfare standards.
"Risk rating
Alongside welfare, the breeder’s compliance history will also be assessed, to determine whether the breeder is either a low risk or high risk operator, i.e. whether it should be expected the breeder will maintain their standards for the duration of their licence period."
And DEFRA has a matrix to assess risk.
And you can also download the notice by the Kennel Club. UK dog breeding regulation.pdf
Information on the Assured Breeder Scheme requirements and recommendations here.

2019 Lewis TW, Mellersh CS. Changes in mutation frequency of eight Mendelian inherited disorders in eight pedigree dog populations following introduction of a commercial DNA test. Plos One, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209864
DNA Testing - General
Subject: DNA Testing
Type: Research
Journal/Source: peer-reviewed research publication
Authors/Researchers: University, Kennel Club (IPFD Partners); HGTD Participants
Recommended For: Veterinarians, Owners/Breeders
This study is one of the very few to investigate the impact of DNA testing on changing a dog population's disease risk. The research looked at determining changes in frequency of disease causing mutations (how common a mutant gene is in a population) as a result of breeding-pair selection based on DNA test results. The results indicated that there has been an overall decline in disease causing mutations in the 8 diseases in 8 breeds investigated. While the paper recognises that there can be variations in how quickly a disease is reduced or eliminated (such as breed population size), it concluded that where dog breeders appear to incorporate DNA test results as part of breeding plans, there is success in decreasing the frequency of mutation. The study looked at: prcd-PRA in Labrador Retriever and Cocker Spaniel, HC in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, EIC in Labrador Retriever, PLL in Mini-Bull Terrier, EF and DE/CC in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, PRA rcd-4 in Gordon, and Irish Setter, and spinocerebellar ataxia in Parson Russell Terrier. Within the UK at least, this represents a spectrum of large and small breeds, and generally "known" diseases within the breeds.
2019 Lewis TW, Mellersh CS. Changes in mutation frequency of eight Mendelian inherited disorders in eight pedigree dog populations following introduction of a commercial DNA test. Plos One, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209864
See also:
Nearly 20 Years of DNA Testing – What Can We Learn? : IPFD CEO's blog post with discussion of wider implications of the study's approach and findings; based on Ian Seath's commentary (Dog-ED: Social Enterprise) with a breeder/health council perspective on the article above.
IPFD Harmonization of Genetic Testing (HGTD) and search on the mentioned diseases for more information on the the condition, phenes, tests and more.

A terrific free educational resource for dog owners produced by The Kennel Club...
An essential guide full of vital information and practical advice to help you train your puppy, such as house training, teaching basic commands, nutrition, behavioural management and much more.

INTRODUCTION
The Kennel Club launched a dynamic new resource for breed clubs and individual breeders – the Breed Health and Conservation Plans (BHCP) project – in September 2016. The purpose of the project is to ensure that all health concerns for a breed are identified through evidence-based criteria, and that breeders are provided with useful information and resources to support them in making balanced breeding decisions that make health a priority.
The Breed Health and Conservation Plans take a holistic view of breed health with consideration to the following issues: known inherited conditions, complex conditions (i.e. those involving many genes and environmental effects such as nutrition or exercise levels, for example hip dysplasia), conformational concerns and population genetics.
Sources of evidence and data have been collated into an evidence base (Section 1 of the BHCP) which gives clear indications of the most significant health conditions in each breed, in terms of prevalence and impact. Once the evidence base document has been produced it is discussed with the relevant Breed Health Coordinator and breed health committee or representatives if applicable. Priorities are agreed and laid out in Section 2. A collaborative action plan for the health of the breed is then agreed and incorporated as Section 3 of the BHCP. This will be monitored and reviewed.

B. M. Wiles 1* , A. M. Llewellyn-Zaidi 2 , K.M. Evans 1,3 ,D.G.O ’ Neill 4 and T. W. Lewis 1,3
Abstract
Background
Pedigree or purebred dogs are often stated to have high prevalence of disorders which are commonly assumed to be a consequence of inbreeding and selection for exaggerated features. However, few studies empirically report and rank the prevalence of disorders across breeds although such data are of critical importance in the prioritisation of multiple health concerns, and to provide a baseline against which to explore changes over time. This paper reports an owner survey that gathered disorder information on Kennel Club registered pedigree dogs, regardless of whether these disorders received veterinary care. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disorders among pedigree dogs overall and, where possible, determine any variation among breeds.

"The Kennel Club has launched a Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) online learning resource on the Kennel Club Academy, to provide free and easily accessible education to those with an interest in BOAS and the research being undertaken at Cambridge University with brachycephalic dog breeds."

From the BVA congress held in November 2016
At the Session offered on Thursday, November 17, 2016: Two paws forward, one paw back: are we making any progress on pedigree dog health? presentations were offered by Dr. Brenda Bonnett DVM PhD, CEO, International Partnership for Dogs and Nick Blayney BVSc MRCVS, Veterinary Advisor, The Kennel Club.
An article has been included in the December Issue of the Veterinary Record: Title: BVA congress: Improving the health of pedigree dogs: is enough being done?
Abstract
"Controversies at Crufts in recent years have indicated there is still more to do to improve the health of pedigree dogs. Is the Kennel Club doing enough and can the UK learn from international experiences to help take matters forward? These questions were discussed during a session on pedigree dog health at the BVA Congress last month.
Georgina Mills reports"

"Responsible breeders will consider the health of their puppies to be a priority, increasing the probability that healthy puppies will go on to live long and happy lives. This page includes sections on factors to consider when breeding dogs for health, including breeding from DNA tested dogs and inbreeding."
The Kennel Club
Advice and Information for Breeders

" Once you've chosen which breed of puppy will best suit you - how do you find a reputable breeder? In this video, Kennel Club puppy buying expert Bill Lambert accompanies our young family on a visit to a KC approved breeder, to explain what questions to ask and what to look out for - and give details of the Kennel Club's Accredited Breeder's Scheme."

Breed specific statistics -- 2015 Reports
The BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION (BVA) and the Kennel Club have published updated results for the Hip Dysplasia (116 KB PDF) and Elbow Dysplasia (105 KB PDF) Schemes. The results for both schemes show a steady reduction in the incidence and severity of the two conditions, and underline the value of the schemes to dog breeding and welfare. The results will be updated on an annual basis.

It is great to see the increased momentum for addressing issues of health and welfare in brachycephalics around the world. IPFD hopes to facilitate collaborative international efforts across multiple stakeholder groups. It is clear that this issue is a global one and requires a coordinated approach to be truly effective. Perhaps what is also needed is a recognition that these are complex challenges, with no easy solution.
The issues involve not only medicine and science, but are fraught with emotion and influenced by long-held beliefs. Aspects of human-dog interactions both enrich and complicate the situation. Success is most likely to come from positive collaborative efforts where all stakeholders take responsibility for their own roles and work together on common goals, rather than trying to criticize others and apportion blame.
There is a need for information and evidence, compiled and interpreted in a logical and unbiased way. There is a need to share resources, experience and expertise, with reduction of redundant efforts. There is need for courage, as this is a challenging and evocative issue. But there is also a need for compassion - for the dogs, first of all, but also for owners who may not understand; for breeders who did not set out to purposely create problems; to veterinarians who may struggle with conflict of interest serving their business, their clients and their patients; for dog show judges, many of whom struggle for a balanced approach; and more.
The controversies and challenges represent an opportunity now to work together to enhance the health, well-being and welfare of dogs and to support human-dog interactions.
See below for a summary of and links to recent international efforts and resources. We will continue to edit and update this document.

Recognising the importance of managing the rate of inbreeding, the Kennel Club's Population analysis reports allow breeders to review the unique situation for each breed.
If unchecked, inbreeding levels can rise in a breed, and although its effects may not initially be noticeable, this increase can have a significant impact on the health and welfare of future generations.
- See more at: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/vets-researchers/publications-statistics-and-health-results/breed-population-analyses/#sthash.mmliOO10.dpuf
Recognising the importance of managing the rate of inbreeding, the Kennel Club's Population analysis reports allow breeders to review the unique situation for each breed.
If unchecked, inbreeding levels can rise in a breed, and although its effects may not initially be noticeable, this increase can have a significant impact on the health and welfare of future generations.

A quick guide designed to provide some general information on health testing and schemes available for breeders of non pedigree dogs. See the cross-breeding pedigree tree example -- demonstrates the need for health screening -- effective info graphic.

The Kennel Club list of DNA tests available for each breed along with an indication as to whether the test is part of the Assured Breeder Scheme (recommended or required) and whether it is recorded on the Kennel Club registration database: Find your Breed's testing here.
Also see the KC's DNA screening schemes and results page for breeds which currently have DNA tests recorded and published by the KC, together with further information on the specific conditions, lists of laboratories and results: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/breeding-for-health/dna-screening-schemes-and-results/.
Also see The Kennel Club's list of Worldwide DNA Tests.

In this article, we take a look at some excellent resources for breeds and breed health available from IPFD and our Partner organizations, including:
Agria Animal Insurance
American Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
Finnish Kennel Club
German Kennel Club
﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿Irish Kennel Club
﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿The Kennel Club
﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿Swedish Kennel Club
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
Wisdom Health﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿
International Partnership for Dogs/DogWellNet.com
This resource is continually under construction - we will be adding more links and more Partner information as available
Note: The layout/content of these sites is subject to change without notice.

The Kennel Club recognizes DNA tests and schemes in conjunction with breed clubs and laboratories, some of which are recorded by the Kennel Club on the registration database and are available to view via the online tool Health Test Results Finder.

The Kennel Club recognises DNA tests and schemes in conjunction with breed clubs and laboratories, some of which are recorded by the Kennel Club on the registration database and are available to view via the online tool Health Test Results Finder. The list below displays the DNA tests available for each breed along with an indication as to whether the test is part of the Assured Breeder Scheme (recommended or required) and whether it is recorded on the Kennel Club registration database. DNA tests are not yet available for every breed.
Please see current information including updated versions of DNA tests at...
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health/for-breeders/dna-testing-simple-inherited-disorders/worldwide-dna-tests/.
External links:
Afghan Hound - Bull Terrier (miniature)
Cairn Terrier - Dogue de Bordeaux
English Setter - Greyhound
Havanese - Kooikerhondje
Lagotto Romagnolo - Otterhound
Papillon - Pyrenean sheepdog
Retriever (Chespaeake Bay) - Russian black terrier
Saluki - Swedish Vallund
Tibetan Spaniel - Yorkshire Terrier
Also see:
BREED SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING HEALTH SCREENING -- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/9846/abs_breed_specific_requirements_and_recommendations_web.pdf
Updated September 2018
This list is subject to change. The most up-to-date version will be found at: www.assuredbreeders.org.uk

UK: Bio-Acquisition Research Collaboration (BARC): A facility which helps bring researchers and clinicians together with regards to research projects, allowing more collaboration of ideas, information, and providing a platform to advertise requests for required samples.

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